Metered bottle cap remover and retainer



Nov. 26, 1968 F. J. LUCARELLI 3,412,634

METERED BOTTLE CAP REMOVER AND RETAINER Filed Oct. 7, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Fzauk. d. Lucamu Nov. 26, 1968 F. .1. LUCARELLI METERED BOTTLE CAP REMOVER AND RETAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001..

R 0.. L QM. E N V m. o 7 w w M w 1 A a Y 5 B United States Patent 3,412,634 METERED BOTTLE CAP REMOVER AND RETAINER Frank J. Lucarelli, Middle River, Md., assignor of seventeen and one-half percent to William F. Pinsak, Silver Spring, Md., and twelve and one-half percent to Jane S.

Hogan Filed Oct. 7, 1966, Ser. No. 585,059 8 Claims. (Cl. 813.1)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An enclosed bottle decapper and counting mechanism for ensuring an accurate count of bottles decapped. The enclosure is made such that once a bottle is inserted and a cap partially removed, the bottle cannot be extracted from the enclosure. The decapper is designed so that a bottle cannot be decapped without activating the counting mechanism, which is an integral part of the decapping device.

This invention relates to bottle decappers, more particularly to bottle decappers which include means for recording the number of bottles opened and which also include means for ensuring that the cap is retained in a container.

In establishments selling beverages over the counter, packaged in bottles having a conventional crown cap, it is ditficult to keep track of the number of bottles sold in order that the number may be checked against the sales receipts. If an owner attempts merely to rely upon the number of caps from the beverages sold as a tally against the amount of money taken in from the sale of such beverages, he must have some means of ensuring that all caps can be accounted for. If he uses a conventional decapper with a bin below it, there is no assurance that all caps will fall into it, or, in the event of a dishonest employee, that some of the caps may be removed.

There are known devices whereby the number of bottles decapped are counted, but these devices are cumbersome and inaccurate. With these devices it is possible for the cap to slip from its opening position, to cause the counter to be activated although the cap has not been removed from the bottle. It has also been found that there is a tendency for the lips of the bottles to chip or the neck to break.

With the decapper and counting mechanism of this invention, however, it is ensured that each bottle cap removed will be counted. Even if the bottle caps are misplaced or lost, or are not available as an accurate tally against the sales receipts, this decapper ensures that there is an accurate count of every bottle decapped.

Although there have been certain devices developed whereby to ensure that the caps are removed and retained in a container or bin, the combination of a counting mechanism and a cap retainer has not heretofore been known. Such a device permits a dual check against sales receipts and ensures that none of the stock is lost, misplaced, or stolen.

It is an object of this invention to provide a bottle decapper which provides positive positioning of the bottle cap each time a bottle is inserted into the decapper.

It is another object of this invention to provide a bottle decapper which ensures the removal of the bottle cap and the retention of said bottle cap in a receptacle provided therefor.

Patented Nov. 26, 1968 'ice It is another object of this invention to provide a bottle decapper from which a bottle with a sprung, cracked, or partially opened cap may not be withdrawn without fully removing said cap.

It is another object of this invention to provide a bottle decapper including means whereby each cap removed is counted.

It is another object of this invention to provide a bottle decapper including counting means as an integral part thereof.

It is another object of this invention to provide a bottle decapper including electronic switching means whereby the number of caps removed may be accurately counted.

It is another object of this invention to provide a bottle decapper which ensures that a bottle cannot be decapped without activating the counting mechanism.

It is another object of this invention to provide a bottle decapper in which the decapping device and the collection bin are enclosed to prevent the removal of caps from the bin.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a bottle decapper having the foregoing characteristics which will be efiicient in use, durable, and which can be manufactured at a reasonable cost.

Further and other objects will be apparent from the description of the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of the box containing the bottle decapping and counting mechanism and a method of attaching the bottle cap receptacle;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along the lines 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional frontal view of the rubber diaphragm and aperture, including means to preclude the bottle cap from being removed through the aperture;

FIGURE 3a is a sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 31: is a sectional view of the rubber diaphragm and aperture as viewed from inside the box cover;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one embodiment of the decapper and counting mechanism contained in the box of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of another embodiment of the decapping and counting mechanism contained in the box of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view of another embodiment of this invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along the lines 77 of FIGURE 6.

By way of illustrating one embodiment of this invention, FIGURE 1 shows a bottle cap remover and counter enclosed in a box. Box 1 has an open bottom to which is attached collection bag 2 which may be locked to box 1 by any suitable locking means but which means is illustrated as built in lock 3. The upper or open end of collection bag 2 is fixedly attached to heavy wire 4 bent to conform with and slidably attach to the open bottom of box 1. When one bag is full, as may be visually observed, locking mechanism 3 may be released, the bag removed, and another bag inserted and locked onto the box. It should be understood that other collecting means may be used, for example, another rigid box, without departing from the invention.

Mount 5 is provided in box 1, which in some embodiments may be aflixed to the back of the box and in others to a bracket within the box, in order to position bottle decapping device 6 in the proper space relation to the front portion of the box.

The bottle decapping device may be a modification of any conventional form whereby a capped bottle is inserted against stop 7 and the edge of the cap engaged by lip 8, which parts cooperate in such manner as to cause the removal of the cap from the bottle when a downward pressure is applied to the bottle. However, to ensure positive positioning and to assure removal of the bottle cap, it is preferred to use the decapping device disclosed in copending application S.N. 546,397 filed Apr. 29, 1966.

The counting mechanism is activated by switching mechanism 9 readily obtained on the commercial market. Switching mechanism 9 may be activated in any of several different ways without departing from the scope of this invention. Although switching mechanism 9 is shown in the examples as being electronic, it should be obvious that mechanical switching devices may also be utilized without departing from the invention.

In one embodiment bottle decapper 6 is affixed to plate 10 which is in turn hingedly attached to the back of the box. Switching mechanism 9 is positioned beneath the free end of plate 10. Between the same end of the plate and the back of the box is placed coil spring 11, attached to both and maintaining them separated. Coil spring 11 is of such strength that it is necessary to apply a pressure sufficient to decap a bottle in order to depress the spring enough to cause plate 10 to move the distance required to contact and activate switch 9.

In another embodiment, bottle decapper 6' is aflixed to a bracket within the box. On lower face 12 of frame portion 13 of the decapper, at the fulcrum point against which a bottle cap must abut, opening 14 is provided through which protrudes a portion of leaf spring 15. One end of leaf spring 15 is preferably attached to the underside of the bracket to which is attached bottle decapper 6'. The other end of leaf spring 15 is positioned above switching device 9 which is attached to the back of the box. The leaf spring is of such strength that it is necessary to apply a pressure sufficient to decap a bottle in order to depress the spring the distance required to contact and activate the switch.

There is an additional advantage which accrues from the use of the leaf spring type of actuator for the counting mechanism. Since leaf spring 15 protrudes through opening 14 immediately below the fulcrum, or projection on the lower face of the decapper, it aids in the positioning of the bottle. The spring places the bottle cap into its proper position by forcibly wedging it tightly against upper lip 8'. Once positioned, it is virtually impossible for the cap to slip out of the decapper.

In still another embodiment bottle decapper 6" is also afiixed to a bracket within a box. The fulcrum pad of this embodiment, however, is of a size sufficient to ac commodate an opening through which may protrude spring supported rod or ball 17. One end of spring 18 is preferably attached to the bracket and the other end positioned above switching device 9 which is attached to the back of the box. Spring 18 is of such strength that it is necessary to apply a pressure sufiicient to decap a bottle in order to depress the spring the distance required to contact and activate the switch.

It will be obvious that all of these parameters must be within critical limits in order that all parts may coact in such a manner that ensures proper working of the device. If the decapper itself is not properly formed, a bottle may be decapped without tripping the switch. If the various springs are on inadequate strength, it would be possible to trip the switches without removing the cap from the bottle and consequently, to cause the switch to be activated more than one time. For this reason it is preferred to use the decapper described in co-pending application S.N. 546,397. With other decappers presently on the market it is possible to only loosen the cap, to decap the bottle from a side angle, or for the bottle to slip from position before the cap is removed.

To further ensure proper positioning of the bottle the front portion of box 1 is provided with an elongated aperture 20 somewhat larger than the neck of the bottle and cap. The decapper 6 is positioned relative to the upper end of aperture 20. A rubber diaphragm 21 having an aperture 22 approximately the same size as a conventional crown cap is positioned with respect to the upper end of aperture 20. The rubber diaphragm has a reinforcing member 23, preferably a ring of metal, secured around aperture 22.

The placement of diaphragm 21 on the box is critical. Since the diameter of aperture 22 in the diaphragm closely approximates the diameter of the skirt portion of a bottle cap, the position of the aperture can be used as an aid to the proper placement of the cap in the decapper. If aperture 22 is positioned below the upper face 8 of the decapper, the resiliency of diaphragm 21 has a tendency to pull the bottle cap away from-the decapping position. If, however, upper edge 25 of aperture 22 is positioned slightly above the upper face of the decapper, the diaphragm will actually push the bottle into its decapping position and hold it there. It is, therefore, important that the diaphragm be properly placed in order to perform this latter function.

Diaphragm 21 is vulcanized or otherwise secured to the front portion of box 1. The diaphragm may be held at an angle to the front portion of the box by means of spacers 24 aflixed to the front portion of the box at the sides of aperture 20. The angle of the diaphragm is such that it facilitates easy entry of the bottle into the proper decapping position.

In a further embodiment box and collecting means 31 may be attached relative to bottle decapper 6 as opposed to having the bottle decapper inside a box. Box 30 is somewhat smaller, being generally thinner than those previously described. Upper front portion 32 of box 30 is provided with a semi-oval or semi-circular opening 33 somewhat larger than the neck of a bottle and cap.

Rubber diaphragm 34 having a semi-circular opening 35 slightly larger than the radius of a conventional crown cap is positioned in the opening in the box. There is a reinforcing member 36, preferably a ring of metal, secured around semi-circular opening 35.

The upper portion of the rear of the box has an opening 37 therein which is of moderately critical dimension. Opening 37 generally conforms to the shape of bottle decapper 6 and is formed so that frontal opening 33 is positioned with respect to prying lip 8 of bottle decapper 6.

When box 30 is secured to the same surface to which the bottle decapper is secured, the distance between reinforcing ring 36 on the front face and prying lip 8 of bottle decapper 6 is slightly less than the diameter of a conventional crown cap. In this manner, resilient diaphragm 34 exerts a pressure on a bottle inserted between it and the bottle decapper thereby ensuring proper decapping position.

A further advantage of this configuration is that once a bottle cap is loosened it must be completely removed or the bottle cannot be extracted from the box. Additional means 38 may be added to ensure the retention of the cap in the box. As with the other boxes previously described, collecting means 31 may be fixedly attached to the lower portion of the box. It will be obvious too that those bottle decappers including counting means may be used to advantage with this embodiment of the invention. Further, although the bottle decappers have been described in conjunction with various boxes, it will be obvious that the decappers including counting means may be used alone, should this be desired.

From the description of the foregoing various embodiments of the invention it will be seen that a bottle decapper and counter are enclosed in a container provided with a resilient member having an aperture formed therein substantially the same diameter as the diameter of a bottle cap, through which a capped bottle can be inserted until it contacts the decapper. There is further provided a lockable collecting means whereby all caps removed can be retained. After a capped bottle is inserted through the diaphragm and into the container, it is placed against the decapper.

A downward motion of the bottle in the conventional manner will cause the skirt of the cap to engage the lip of the decapper and for the opposite upper portion of the bottle cap to engage the fulcrum point of the decapper. This downward pressure will cause the cap to become loosened from the bottle. Due to the placement of the counting mechanism activator, the opening action will also cause the counter to record the fact that a bottle has been decapped. As a further check, once the cap has been cracked there is no way that it can be withdrawn or removed from the container.

Due to the unique configuration of the decapper of this invention, it is almost impossible to miscount the number of bottles decapped. Since the spring devices are so selected that it takes a force sufiicient to decap a bottle to activate the switching mechanism, it follows that any lesser force will not record. If an attempt is made merely to crack the cap and then to remove it, the switching mechanism will have been activated; if, however, the operator then discovers that he cannot withdraw the bottle, he can replace the cap in the decapping position and completely remove the cap. Since the same force as is required to remove a fully fixed cap is no longer required to completely remove the cap, the counter will not become activated a second or third time for the removal of the same cap.

The small aperture in the diaphragm, approximately the size of a bottle cap, serves a dual purpose. Because of its diameter and positioning, it aids in the placement of the capped bottle in the proper decapping position. Some decappers, namely those which utilize a large protruding fulcrum pad which engage the bottle cap at its center, will function, albeit haphazardly and inconsistently, even though a bottle be slightly off-center or at a slight angle to the decapper. However, these decappers would not work so well with a counting mechanism unless other provisions were made. With the aperture of this invention situated with respect to the decapper as it is, the bottle is placed properly every time.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the actual size of the aperture is not a critical feature. In this version a single protrusion or finger of metal 40 is resiliently attached to diaphragm 21 so that it protrudes upwardly into the lower portion of aperture 22. The metal piece 40 is fixed to a resilient strip of material 41 which is in turn fixed to diaphragm 21.

The distance from the tip of metal finger 40 to the opposite rim of aperture 22 is less than the diameter of the skirt portion of the standard bottle cap. Because of its construction, resilient strip 41 will allow the metal finger 40 to bend inwardly, but metal border 23 around aperture 22 will prevent the finger from bending outwardly, thereby preventing a capped bottle from being removed through the aperture. Any bottle inserted into this opening must be decapped to be removed.

It is to be understood that the several embodiments shown are illustrative of the principal operation of a bottle decapping device, a counting device, and a means of retaining the bottle caps removed, and that certain changes, alterations, modifications or substitutions can be made in the structure of the devices without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for removing and receiving bottle caps of the crown type comprising a box, one face of said box formed with an aperture of a size to permit the insertion of a capped bottle, a resilient diaphragm covering said aperture having an opening formed therein, a reinforcing ring secured around said opening, a bottle cap removing device positioned within said box opposite the opening in said diaphragm, and a single resilient finger extending inwardly toward the aperture in said diaphragm to retain the cap within said box when removed from said bottle.

2. A device for receiving bottle caps of the crown type comprising, in combination with a bottle cap removing device, a box, the top and upper rear and front faces of which have openings formed therein, the Opening in said rear face formed to generally conform to the shape of said bottle cap removing device, said rear face of said box having means therein by which to secure said box in a common plane and adjacent to said bottle cap removing device, the opening in said front face being of a generally semi-oval or semi-circular shape, a resilient diaphragm covering said frontal opening having an opening formed therein, a reinforcing member secured around said opening in said diaphragm, positioned such that the distance between the lower portion of said reinforcing member and the upper portion of said bottle cap removing device is less than the diameter of a bottle cap, and means for attaching cap catching and collecting means at the bottom of said box.

3. A device for removing and receiving bottle caps of the crown type comprising a box, one face of said box formed with an aperture, a resilient diaphragm covering said aperture having an opening formed therein of a size to permit the insertion of a capped bottle, a bottle cap removing device positioned within said box opposite the opening in said diaphragm, the upper edge of said opening displaced generally above the upper edge of said decapping device, a reinforcing ring secured around said opening to retain the cap within said box when removed from said bottle, and means for counting the number of caps removed.

4. The device claimed in claim 3 wherein said cap counting mechanism is activated by a short spring-supported rod extending from a switching mechanism through the fulcrum pad, situated such that the bottle cap is forced against said rod when being removed from the bottle, said spring holding said rod with sufficient rigidity that pressure substantially equal to that necessary to remove said bottle cap will cause said switching mechanism to register.

5. The device claimed in claim 3 wherein said cap counting mechanism is activated by a leaf spring fixedly attached to the under side of the lower portion of said bottle opener and formed so as to protrude through an opening therethrough located adjacent to and immediately below the fulcrum pad thereof such that the cap of a bottle being removed must bear thereon, the free end of said leaf spring being positioned with respect to a switching mechanism so that a movement of said spring will activate said switching mechanism, said leaf spring being of such rigidity as to resist deformation by any pressure substantially less than that necessary to remove the cap from the bottle.

6. A device for removing and receiving bottle caps of the crown type comprising a box, one face of said box formed with an aperture, a resilient diaphragm covering said aperture having an opening formed therein of a size to permit the insertion of a capped bottle, a reinforcing ring secured around said opening to retain the cap within said box when removed from said bottle, a bottle cap removing device positioned within said box opposite the opening in said diaphragm, said bottle cap removing device attached to a plate hingedly attached at its upper edge to the rear wall of said box, the bottom end of said plate being spaced from said rear wall by a coil spring secured to both said plate and said rear wall, a switch mechanism fixed to the rear wall of said box and situated such that an inward movement of said plate would cause said plate to abut upon and activate said switch 3,412,634 7 8 mechanism, the coil spring being of such rigidity as to References Cited resist any pressure substantially less than that which is UNITED STATES PATENTS necessary to remove a bottle cap from a bottle.

7. A device as claimed in claim 3 having cap catching 1,653,939 12/1927 Adams et a1. 813.l and retaining means afiixed t0 the lower portion of said 5 2,608,115 8/1952 Lapetina et al. 813.1 box. 2,678,164 5/1954 Flores.

8. The device claimed in claim 7 wherein said cap re- 2,984,131 5/1961 Walsh 813.1

taining means includes means whereby said cap catching means may be latched to said box. JAMES L. JONES, JR., Primary Examiner. 

